‘On the Ground’ with Geoff Kirkman
Five years of good memories with Emerging Futures
Emerging Futures publishes regular blogs about all sorts of topical issues. Now, and throughout 2022, we are turning the spotlight onto the people who work most closely with our service users. ‘On the Ground’ gives readers an insight into the diversity of our work and the amazing people who make it happen.
Our second ‘On the Ground’ profile features Geoff Kirkman, who is leaving Emerging Futures to become an independent self-employment consultant. Geoff is a highly valued colleague who has done a fantastic job at our Warrington service, where he created a nurturing environment that supports people to achieve independence through social integration and employment.
Tell us about your achievements with EF
As Warrington Service Manager over the past five years my role involved reinvigorating a stumbling project. Volunteers were thin on the ground but in two weeks I had signed up nearly 20 new people for training as recovery coaches. As a qualified Community Engagement Trainer and Enterprise and Business Coach, I trained people to engage effectively in their community, set up community initiatives and explore self-employment as an opportunity to improve their financial and mental wellbeing.
Over the last three years my titled changed to Enterprise and Community Manager to reflect EF’s work with local communities
Describe a typical day
A typical day involved supporting clients at different stages of their journey towards self-employment, so that might be coaching new starters, helping people develop action plans or produce business plans. In addition, my role involved completing successful grant applications for various EF projects, helping projects develop initiatives and exploring new business opportunities for EF around community coaching
What is your proudest EF moment?
Seeing people I worked with and helped (staff, volunteers or community members), move from pre-contemplation to contemplation. Knowing I have helped people achieve their goal is the best feeling.
Describe EF in three words
Supportive, caring, family.
What are you doing next?
I like to keep busy, so I am continuing to deliver community engagement and self-employment projects across the Northwest. I am also keen to support EF projects – it’s not in my nature to stand still!
Workwise I can be contacted at: geoffkirkman766@gmail.com
Tel: 07720 215096
Do you have a message for the EF team?
You are part of a unique and supportive family that never questions the support it gives to people who need help. Never think your ideas don’t matter, they do: this organisation is built on innovation.
Many people have supported me but I must particularly thank David Dakin and Hayden Duncan. David was the first person I worked with and he gave me the best welcome and support anyone could wish for. Hayden has listened to my ramblings about Participatory Appraisal and enterprise, sometimes agreeing and sometimes not. His support, particularly throughout 2021, cannot be underestimated and I thank him for being there.
I am pleased to have helped in a small way with EF’s development and hope to be able to contribute to future successes!
